About Ono-Can Communications

Ono-Can Communications is the business style used by David Onodera, who has more than 35 years of experience in the public transit and communications sectors.

Most recently, he served as the Director of Transit for the City of Regina, setting the strategic direction for a department of over 200 people and 135 buses with an annual operating budget of over $25-million. As part of the City's Community and Protective Services Division, his accomplishments over three years included renewal of over half of the conventional transit fleet (including the purchase of over 30 new buses), the completion of a ten-year, $100-million Transit Investment Plan and  the introduction of a smart card-based fare collection system.

Prior to that, David was the Superintendent of Transit for the City of Timmins. This northern Ontario system operates 25 buses in conventional and specialized service. Over the course of his six and a half years at the helm, ridership on the system increased over 40 percent and the majority of the system's fleet was renewed.

On the Communications front, David was the Manager of Communications and Special Projects for the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) for 12 years. His responsibilities included complete production of the association's news magazine (Forum), conference planning for two major events annually, providing technical support for CUTA's information technology systems, and serving as the lead contact for accessibility-related issues in transit.

David came to CUTA from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), where he worked in a number of capacities in the Marketing and Community Relations Department. His responsibilities included developing and executing community and industry communications programs, creating in-house publications, coordinating major displays and community events, supervising telephone and customer services, and providing in-house photographic services.

David's career in transportation started back in the summer of 1975, when he worked as a multi-lingual tour guide for Gray Line Tours in Toronto.  The following summer he returned to Gray Coach Lines and the TTC as an Operator. He also worked as a first-level supervisor in the training, Subway Collectors and route supervision areas.

David has a strong personal passion for transit and the rich role it plays in Canada's urban environment. He is a founding Director of the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation (CTHF), launched in 1993. He is also both a transit and rail fan with an extensive knowledge of both industries. In addition, he is also a student of urban design and heritage, focusing on commercial development.